LunchVox LIVE 2021: Sports Tourism and Why it Matters

SPEAKERS
Joey Jewell
Senior Director of the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission

Joey Jewell is the Senior Director of the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission.  Joey received his bachelor’s degree in Sport Management at the University of Texas at Austin, and his graduate degree in Sport Administration and Policy at the University of Georgia.  He has spent the past 6 years advocating for local sports infrastructure and attracting high end sports events to Lane County.  He has worked on events such as the 2008 US Master’s Nationals Swim Meet, the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games U.S. Team Processing, 2016 & 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials Track & Field, and the World Athletics Championships Oregon22.   Joey serves on the Oregon Club Board, Eugene Young Professional’s Network, and is a SportsETA Committee member.

Liz Dahlager
VP of Market Intelligence, Mereté Hotel Management

Liz Dahlager is Vice President of Market Intelligence for Mereté Hotel Management. Mereté operates 6 hotels in Lane County and 18 hotels in the Pacific Northwest. She is responsible for sales and marketing and identifying strategic partnerships that meet Mereté’s long term growth goals. Liz has more than 20 years of experience in hospitality with major brands as well as independent boutique hotels. Liz received her BA from Northeastern University in Boston, MA.  She was recognized by Marriott International with a Global Sales Leadership Award, is a Certified Hospitality Revenue Manager and holds a Certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investment and Asset Management from Cornell School of Hotel Administration. 

Liz has a long history of working with travel and tourism partners across Oregon in order to increase tourism dollars to local and regional economies. She is passionate about sustainable travel, preserving outdoor recreation for future generations and the value tourism brings to a community. 

Liz currently serves on the Eugene Airport Advisory Committee, the Springfield Chamber Board of Directors and is Chair of the Springfield Chamber Economic Development Committee. Since relocating to the Willamette Valley from Portland in 2009 she has served on the Springfield Rotary Board, Willamette Valley Pop Warner Board, LCC Hospitality Management Advisory Committee, Eugene Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council, Central Oregon Coast Association and the Oregon Tour and Travel Alliance. Liz resides in Eugene with her husband of 25 years, her two children, and her two beagles. 

Jase Newton
Recreation Services Director for Willamalane Park and Recreation District

I graduated from the University of Oregon in 2010.  While attending college, I worked for Willamalane Park and Recreation District in a variety of positions including summer camps, after school programming, and grounds maintenance.  
After graduation, I accepted a job with PenMet Parks as a grounds specialist.  I worked in this position for three years, and then accepted another position within the district as the Facilities Director.  In this position, I was responsible for all rentals and community events throughout the district.  During this time, I was fortunate to share an office with the finance director of the district, allowing me to expand my knowledge of budgets, financial reporting, and all items finance related.
In 2018, I accepted a position with River Road Park District to become their Assistant Superintendent.  I remained in this position until May 2019, and then was promoted to Superintendent.  As Superintendent, I was responsible for the oversight of four departments and 60 FTE.  
In November of 2020, I crossed the river to begin working for Willamalane Park and Recreation District as the Recreation Services Director.  I am enjoying the position greatly, and look forward to the future!